|
Got News?!
If you have information you think is appropriate to post on the Far West Masters news page
and circulate to our members, send a message to news@farwestmasters.org.
The moderators will review your request to ensure that the information provided is appropriate
and relevant to our members.
Want to receive News emails?
If you'd like to be added to the news mailing list to receive news posts by email,
send a subscription request to us at newsadmin@farwestmasters.org with your name and email address.
- 2025 Open Class and Season Scoring
Far West Masters races are conducted following the standard US masters age class rules.
An additional option is used by Far West Masters in our division races, allowing competitors
to elect to be scored in an Open class drawn from all age classes rather than their
age class for race awards and season scoring.
All competitors start within their age group in the race start order but may elect to be
scored for race awards based on the overall ranking of Open class participants rather
than within their age class. The season leader bibs are awarded based on the rankings of the Open class.
The 2025 Open class elections list is started with all current season bib holders registered by default.
Everyone else (including "the usual folks") need to explicitly elect to participate in Open class.
It's your choice - no one is obligated or expected to elect Open class - go Open if you'll have fun doing that,
stay in your age class for scoring and awards if you're happy with the standard age class system.
To elect Open class, contact scoring director Deb Lewis at dlewis@farwestmasters.org.
Open class participants will be noted on start lists with "OP" designation and when possible on the finish board so that
all competitors know who is competing within their age class and who is being scored in the overall Open class.
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
to participate in the Open class for any event, you MUST elect Open
no later than the noon the day prior to the race.
Day-of-race Open class changes will not be accepted!
[05-Dec-2024]
- Mammoth Season Opener updates
The first good storm series of the season is hitting the west coast
and Sierra ski areas are getting a welcome gift of snow for
the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. We are GO for the Mammoth
masters training camp on Tue-Fri Dec. 3-6 and our opening GS races
on Sat-Sun Dec. 7-8 at Mammoth Mountain
Update on training camp for those attending: we will be
training GS all week (no SL).
Race registration for the opening Mammmoth races and 2024-25 Far West Masters membership
are open on masters.AdminSkiRacing.com. Training camp signup is available online on the Mammoth web site.
Please pay your Far West Masters dues if you have not done so yet!! Membership chair
Mary Feddis is doing a lot of work to get new bibs assigned to racers, help her to help
all of us by getting your dues paid so we know which bib numbers can be assigned
Early registration deadline is Sun 12/1; registration closes
at 8pm PT Thu 12/5.
Note: race registration signups for our full season schedule
will be added by mid-December on our masters.AdminSkiRacing.com
registration site. In the meantime, visit the
Season Schedule page to plan
your race season.
[24-Nov-2024]
- Mammoth Dec races and camp
Race registration for our season opening GS races on Dec. 7-8 is now open
on masters.AdminSkiRacing.com!
We have two GS races at Mammoth Mountain on Dec. 7-8, the weekend following
the Thanksgiving holiday. Mammoth is also hosting a 4-day GS/SL training camp
on Tue-Fri Dec. 3-6 prior to the weekend races, which is a good opportunity
to get on skis and get in some preseason race training to get warmed up.
See the event info announcement and training camp flyer for additional details.
Mammoth is offering a discounted lodging package for camp week and race weekend.
** Far West Masters membership reminder** please remember to join or renew
your Far West Masters membership by the renewal deadline Wed. Nov. 20.
Pay your dues by purchasing "2024-2025 Far West Masters membership" through your account
on masters.AdminSkiRacing.com (don't forget to complete the shopping cart checkout to pay!).
All members are receiving new bibs this season, so bib number assignments will be made
to current members.
Early registration deadline is Sun 12/1; registration closes
at 8pm PT Thu 12/5.
You can sign up for the races and also purchase your 2025 Far West Masters membership if you haven't
already done so.
Training camp signup is available online on the Mammoth web site - you can sign up for all four days
or for specific days, as your schedule permits.
(Note: camp days are included for Mammoth Masters team members as part of the season training program)
[11-Nov-2025]
- Reno and Sacramento Ski Swaps
We will be representing FW Masters at the Reno and Sacramento Avalanche Sale Ski Swaps this year
as part of our outreach to add new members. This is also a good opportunity to pick up new gear
for the upcoming season or get rid of anything you and your family have outgrown.
Many of the big brands will also have reps at the event including Atomic, Head, Nordica, Volkl, K2, Salomon and more.
The Reno/UNR event is Fri evening and Sat-Sun Nov. 1-3 at Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
Used gear drop-offs will be in store at Ski Pro Reno on Neil Rd and Virginia St during regular store hours.
The Sacramento event is Fri evening and Sat-Sun Nov. 22-24 at Cal Expo Hall .
(check the event site for gear dropoff instructions)
We are looking for volunteers that can help represent FW Masters at these events for 4-4.5hr shifts each day.
If you plan on attending the event to shop, please consider staying and manning our booth to help spread the word
and encourage racers new and old to come race with us this season. We will have flyers with all of the information
on how to join, we just need you there to share your experiences, answer questions and network.
For questions or additional information, contact FWM Recruiting chair Damian Palfini at recruiting@farwestmasters.org.
[27-Oct-2024]
- Fall Forerunner Newsletter
The fall issue of the Forerunner newsletter is out!
Communication director Melissa House has pulled together
all the news and information for the upcoming race season,
including reminders about membership with US Ski & Snowboard
and Far West Masters.
In this issue: "President's Message" from FWM chair Rees Palermo,
information on 2024-25 race season membership and season schedule,
and much more about our Far West masters race program and the upcoming season!
Questions about membership signups?
Contact Mary Feddis at membership@farwestmasters.org
Questions about The Forerunner?
Contact Melissa House at forerunner@farwestmasters.org
Note: the primary distribution method of the Forerunner newsletter will
be electronic publishing through our news email list and here on the web site.
All current members of Far West Masters should receive the newsletter. If you
have any questions, contact us at forerunner@farwestmasters.org for assistance.
[2024-10-14]
- Annual Membership Deadline Reminders
There are two steps to signing up to race with Far West Masters each season. Please take a look at these instructions and take care of your US Ski & Snowboard membership now to take advantage of the lower pricing. We'll give you plenty of time to do the steps in the section marked later.
Why do I need this?
- Racing with Far West Masters requires BOTH a Far West Masters Membership and a US Ski & Snowboard Alpine Master membership
- The US Ski & Snowboard Alpine Master membership is required for all scheduled races on our season calendar
- Your FWM membership dues supports organizing our division race calendar and provides you with a permanent race bib for all our Far West masters races
NOW - US Alpine Master membership
COMING SOON - Far West Masters membership
- 2024-2025 membership renewal for Far West Masters will open in early October on the Masters AdminSkiRacing site
- Far West Masters is waiting for ASR to complete updating the site with improvements for the upcoming season, so membership renewal will open as soon as the vendor completes their updates
- You'll have plenty of time to do this once we send it out
US Ski & Snowboard Sign-Up Reminders
- Most masters should select the "Alpine Master" membership type. Only select the "Alpine Master w/ requirements" membership type if you are required to have SafeSport training and background checks due to your engagement with junior athletes through a US Ski & Snowboard club role.
- Most masters should select "No Club Affiliation" for the US Ski & Snowboard club affiliation. Do NOT select the club at the area where you ski and train unless you are actually a member - the clubs are generally associated only with junior alpine competitor programs.
- At the end of the renewal or new member process, you will be asked to e-sign a release of liability.
If you have questions, please contact membership@farwestmasters.org.
[02-Oct-2024]
- Preliminary 2024 Schedule
The preliminary 2023-2024 race schedule is now available! Scheduling Director Mike Braun
has tried to put together a calendar with a good mix of events at proven venues.
The schedule has some unusual timing this season for some of our traditional events
in consideration of the FIS Masters World Criterium in March, a major event that only
comes to North America every 5 years.
A highlight this season is the Masters National DH Championship in our home division at Mammoth Mountain.
The US masters national championships are hosted this season in Central division
at Granite Peak, WI on Feb. 5-10. The Western Region championship/FIS Masters Cup races
will be held at Beaver Creek CO on Feb. 22-25. The international FIS Masters World Criterium
follows on Mar. 1-7 at Kimberly BC in Canada.
And last, but not least, for the first time since Covid interrupted everyone's plans in March 2020,
we have a season finals event with a banquet gathering planned so we can once again gather with our
racing friends at the end of our competition season.
[04-Sep-2023]
- Palisades Season Finals info
Our final event of the 2024 season will be held at Palisades Tahoe (Olympic Valley)
with GS races on Fri-Sat Apr. 5-6. In addition to being the final races of the season,
the Bernard Cup trophy will be awarded to the man and woman with fastest combined times
from both races using Bob Bernard's age-handicap formula.
And for the first time since covid shut down travel and gatherings in March 2020... we are having
a season banquet on Saturday evening following the final race of the 2024 season.
The banquet will be in the Palisades Ballroom in the base village from 5:30-10pm.
Price is $55 for BBQ-theme buffet; sign up on masters.AdminSkiRacing.com.
Along with a relaxing evening gathering with friends and family,
season awards will be announced and we will have raffles and auction items to benefit our
junior athlete scholarship fund.
NOTE: extra banquet tickets contact us at raceadmin@farwestmasters.org
if you need extra banquet tickets for friends and family. We'll coordinate your ticket count
with your ASR banquet signup.
[27-Mar-2024]
- Northstar and Diamond Peak races
What a gorgeous weekend we had with warm, sunny spring weather and great racing conditions
for our 3-day weekend at Northstar and Diamond Peak! Friday's SG races at Northstar featured
two fun courses on the Loggers Loop-Surprise course and the day featured numerous big smiles
as racers hit the finish line. Both races also count for the
2024 National Speed Series,
so we were happy to have racers from Pacific Northwest, Intermountain, and Rocky joining our
crew from Far West.
Racing shifted to nearby Diamond Peak for a pair of SL races on the weekend.
We haven't raced at Diamond Peak for a number years so it was a pleasure to bring this venue back
onto our race calendar. The weather was fabulous, the views spectacular, and the Diamond Peak
race crew ran an outstanding pair of races for us on the Showoff SL track.
In addition to our out-of-division guest racers lured by the Speed Series, it was great to have
a number of new Far West masters racers in the field. We can't promise the same lovely weather
for all our events, but we hope it was a good introduction to masters racing that will bring
them back for more.
The Diamond Peak SL races were also the site for 2024 Viva Italia event, with the trophy
awarded to the top man and woman racer in the combined standings using an age-handicap formula.
The Viva Italia has a legendary history from founder John Gianotti and he would have appreciated
the fantastic conditions we had to celebrate his spirited attitude that ski racing is fun for all ages.
The tentative Viva Italia winners were announced at the post-race awards, pending final age handicap
computations when the completed race data was available, and the confirmed 2024 Viva Italia winners
are Deb Lewis (W09) and Tim Hill (M08).
Complete race results from the SL races at Diamond Peak are
posted on the web site on the Race Results page.
We don't yet have the results data we need to post the Northstar SG results, but as soon as we receive
those race files we'll post updated Season Standings rankings for 2024.
Sat 3/23 update: Northstar SG results are now posted! Sorry for the delay, but the Northstar race results
are now posted on the Race Results page
and the updated season standings going into the final races of the season
at Palisades Tahoe are on the Season Standings page.
[18-Mar-2024; updated 3/23]
- Northstar, Diamond Peak race info
Our next races are two SG's at Northstar on Friday Mar. 15, followed by weekend SL races
at nearby Diamond Peak on Mar. 16-7.
Race registration is open on masters.AdminSkiRacing.com.
The early registration deadline is Sun 3/10;
registration closes at ** 8pm Wed 3/13 ** for both events.
See the Diamond Peak event announcement for details on racer lift tickets and link for
signing the required waiver form. We don't yet have those details for Northstar but
will add to the event information as soon as we can confirm the logistics with the Northstar organizers.
** BREAKING NEWS: Thu SL training at Diamond Peak
Diamond Peak will have a SL training day on Thursday Mar. 14, prior to the weekend races.
Cost is $175 for the day, including lift ticket as well as training.
This is a great chance to get in a day of SL training and check out the race hill,
which may be a new venue for many of us.
Sign up for Diamond Peak SL training on masters.AdminSkiRacing.com ASAP so we can
get a head count estimate of those interested. Details to follow soon on whether we'll
charge via ASR or go through a Diamond Peak site to handle payment.
[09-Mar-2024]
- Alpine SL races
Well, it was a beautiful day for racing at Alpine Meadows, after the previous
weekend's blizzard that shut down most of Tahoe and Mammoth for several days.
Unfortunately there was a slight delay when the entire ski area lost power
for 1-1/2 hours just as racers were starting to inspect the first run course.
Thankfully, the power came back on and lifts started running again before we lost our race day!
The efficient Alpine Meadows crew provided us with a good race day despite the late start.
While there had been concerns about soft snow earlier in the week, racer reports
were that the courses held up well throughout the field.
Due to the late time and the long, tiring day for athletes and crew, the jury
decided to shorten the second race to a 1-run SL.
Complete race results are
posted on the web site on the Race Results page
along with the updated Season Standings rankings for 2024.
[09-Mar-2024]
- Mt Rose GS races cancelled
We are very disappointed to share the news that the Mt Rose organizers
contacted us this afternoon and have cancelled the GS races scheduled
for Saturday Mar. 9. Their assessment of the snow conditions today on the Slide Mountain
side of Mt Rose after last weekend's major blizzard that shut down most of the Tahoe
region for several days is that the snow is too deep and too soft to be able to
prepare for racing GS on Saturday.
We WILL be racing SL at Alpine Meadows on Friday as planned.
[06-Mar-2024]
- March Forerunner newsletter
The March issue of the Forerunner newsletter is out!
Stories and pictures from our February races and upcoming March events, tips for Far West coaches,
and reports from athletes sponsored by our Far West Masters Scholarship Program.
To catch up on recent issues or dive into past season archives, visit the Forerunner newsletter page:
[04-Mar-2024]
- Alpine and Mt Rose race reminders
Reminders for our races this week on Friday Mar. 8 with two SL races at
Palisades Tahoe/Alpine Meadows and Saturday Mar. 9 for rescheduled Mt Rose McKinney Cup GS races.
Competitor release waivers are REQUIRED at both venues and should be submitted
online in advance.
Alpine Meadows is an Ikon pass resort. Racer lift ticket for both areas can be purchased
online:
Race registration is open on masters.AdminSkiRacing.com.
The early registration deadline is Sun 3/3;
registration closes at ** 8pm Wed 3/6 ** for both events.
[02-Mar-2024]
- Alpine and Mt Rose races info
Our next races will be a double-doubleheader weekend
on Friday Mar. 8 with two SL races at Palisades Tahoe/Alpine Meadows,
followed on Saturday Mar. 9 by the rescheduled Mt Rose McKinney Cup GS races.
Race registration is open on masters.AdminSkiRacing.com.
The early registration deadline is Sun 3/3;
registration closes at ** 8pm Wed 3/6 ** for both events.
*** NOTE: we are NOT carrying over the original registrations for Mt Rose
on Feb 10 to the Mar 9 reschedule date - we can't assume that everyone signed up originally
will be able to compete in the rescheduled event. If you were entered on the original
race date of Feb. 10, you must RE-REGISTER for the rescheduled Mar. 9 races!!
[27-Feb-2024]
- Mt Rose races rescheduled
We regret to have to announce that the Mt Rose GS races planned for this
Saturday Feb. 10 are being rescheduled. Mt Rose has determined that the snow
conditions will be too soft for racing.
Rose has agreed to reschedule the event to Sat. Mar. 9, which fits well with our
scheduled SL races on Friday Mar. 8 at Alpine Meadows. More details
will be provided soon.
[07-Feb-2024]
- Mt Rose race info
Our next races are coming up in just over a week with a GS doubleheader at Mt. Rose
on Sat Feb. 10, with the annual McKinney Cup trophy awarded to the fastest overall man and women.
Mt. Rose is a favorite venue of many with a great GS hill that provides challenging racing.
Race registration is open on masters.AdminSkiRacing.com.
The early registration deadline is Sun 2/2;
registration closes at ** 6pm PT Thu 2/8 **.
(Note the earlier than usual close of registration!!)
Open class reminder: if you want to compete in Open class, contact scoring director
Deb Lewis at dlewis@farwestmasters.org BEFORE close of registration on Thursday evening.
(We can't accept any late requests for this event, sorry). The current list of Open class
competitors is posted on the web site, so if this is your first race of the season and you
want to compete in Open let Deb know ASAP.
- January 30 Forerunner newsletter
After a slow start to the ski season, things finally picked up in January
and we had a first races of the season at Mammoth Mountain.
The new January issue of the Forerunner newsletter is now out with January racing news
along with the President's Message, racing information,
and the new "Coach's Corner" articles from coaches of our masters training
programs around the Far West.
To catch up on recent issues or dive into past season archives, visit the Forerunner newsletter page:
[30-Jan-2024]
- Mammoth GS races
And finally we have racing to kick off the 2024 season!
This weekend we held our first races of the 2024 season with two GS races at Mammoth.
And just to ensure we provide a complete spectrum of the racing experience,
there were weather delays and schedule adjustments (on top of the originally scheduled
SG/DH speed races having been changed to GS races).
Saturday morning arrived gloomy and with fresh snow from a small storm on Friday night
that "overdelivered" and lingered through the day. Mammoth Race Department crews were on
the race hill early to prepare and set the course, but after an hour delay the jury met
and determined to postpone the race to Sunday when better weather conditions were expected.
So no racing Saturday, but we had the afternoon party at Main Street Pizza and heard
reports that there was some good freesking found in the fresh snow! We were pleased
to welcome a number of new racers (11 new racers for our opening weekend), along with
visiting racer Joel Swanson from Central division.
Sunday's weather cleared up, as anticipated, and the expert Mammoth race crew efficiently
ran both GS races to kick off our racing season.
Complete race results are
posted on the web site on the Race Results page
along with the first Season Standings rankings for 2024.
[22-Jan-2024]
- 2024 Open Class and Season Scoring
Far West Masters races are conducted following the standard US masters age class rules.
An additional option is used by Far West Masters in our division races, allowing competitors
to elect to be scored in an Open class drawn from all age classes rather than their
age class for race awards and season scoring.
All competitors start within their age group in the race start order but may elect to be
scored for race awards based on the overall ranking of Open class participants rather
than within their age class. The season leader bibs are awarded based on the rankings of the Open class.
Note: due to limited racing in the 2023 "snowpocalypse" season, the 2023 season leader bibs
are carried over for 2024 so that competitors have a chance to wear the season bibs they earned
with their season results in 2022!
The 2024 Open class elections list is started with all current season bib holders registered by default.
Everyone else (including "the usual folks") need to explicitly elect to participate in Open class.
It's your choice - no one is obligated or expected to elect Open class - go Open if you'll have fun doing that,
stay in your age class for scoring and awards if you're happy with the standard age class system.
To elect Open class, contact scoring director Deb Lewis at dlewis@farwestmasters.org.
Open class participants will be noted on start lists with "OP" designation and when possible on the finish board so that
all competitors know who is competing within their age class and who is being scored in the overall Open class.
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
to participate in the Open class for any event, you MUST elect Open
no later than the noon the day prior to the race.
Day-of-race Open class changes will not be accepted!
[17-Jan-2024]
- Mammoth SG races changed to GS
Unfortunately, the weather over the past week has not cooperated with our
plan to run SG races this weekend - less snow and more wind than hoped for...
The upper section of the SG course still has exposed areas without enough coverage
for setting a SG course along with the necessary safety fencing.
Given the current conditions and no significant storms forecast in the next few days,
we are changing the weekend event program from 2 SG races each day
to one GS race each day on Sat/Sun 1/20-21. There is good coverage from snowmaking
on the primary front-side race hills (Fascination and ADG), so the GS venues are
in good condition for racing.
Registration updates: we will change all race signups on masters.AdminSkiRacing.com
for the first races each day (SG #1 on Sat, SG #3 on Sun) from SG to GS, with entry fee adjusted
to $45. Entries for the second race each day (SG #2 on Sat, SG #4 on Sun) will be dropped.
Open Training Friday Mammoth will provide an open training
session for all racers on Friday 11am-12:30pm.
Early registration deadline is extended to Wednesday night 1/17
so that racers who wish to sign up for GS are not penalized by the program change.
We want as many possible to be able to race this weekend!!
IMPORTANT: if you only wanted to race SG and do not wish to compete in GS,
please drop your entries before registration closes on Thursday evening
(otherwise you will be charged as a no-show DNS, not what you would want!).
If you have questions or need assistance, contact us at raceadmin@farwestmasters.org and we'll do our best to help.
[Mon 1/15/24 XXam]
- Online Q&A for Granite Peak National Championships
The 2024 Masters National Championships are coming up quickly in just over 3 weeks from now!
An online Q&A zoom session is being held tonight at 5:30pm PT Sun. Jan 14
where you can learn more about host area Granite Peak WI and get your questions
answered about the venue and the event.
The session will be hosted by:
- Lauren Beckos - U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine Masters Manager
- Ryan Fuller - Alpine Masters National Working Group Chair
- Greg Fisher - General Manager of Granite Peak
Join the zoom call: Jan 14, 2024 6:30pm MT, 5:30pm PT
https://usskiandsnowboard-org.zoom.us/j/89615129549
Meeting ID: 896 1512 9549
One tap mobile +12532158782,,89615129549# US (Tacoma)
On Facebook: @usalpinemasters (https://www.facebook.com/usalpinemasters)
National Championships info on usskiandsnowboard.org/masters:
Early registration deadline is Monday Jan. 22; registration deadline Friday Feb. 2.
Cancellation deadline for full refund is Monday Jan. 29, so get your entries in now if you're considering competing.
[14-Jan-2024]
- Mammoth Speed Races Update - DH Cancelled
With great regret, the National Championship and NSS downhill races scheduled for Mon-Tue Jan. 22-23 at Mammoth Mountain have been cancelled. As most of you know, it's been a slow, dry start this winter in the Sierra with very little natural snowfall. Mammoth has done an amazing job with snowmaking and grooming in order to open a considerable amount of terrain, but with only a few relatively small storms so far in January the snowpack is still well below normal.
There is good manmade coverage on the primary race hills (Fascination and ADG), enabling racing and training. However, the upper sections of the speed track still have exposed rock areas and cannot yet support a suitable race surface with the necessary safety fencing. Following intensive discussions with Mammoth Race Department and Mountain Operations on current conditions and the weather outlook over the next two weeks, it was concluded that it would be nearly impossible to prepare the DH course for racing.
We still hope to be able to hold the scheduled Sat-Sun SG races on Jan. 20-21, if we can get some assistance from the weather fairy over the coming week. We will definitely be racing that weekend, but we may need to switch to GS if the full SG course cannot be properly prepared. We'll see how conditions evolve this week, with a couple more storm possibilities in the forecast keeping our hopes alive, and reassess again next Monday Jan.15.
Pending agreement of the Masters National Committee, we will count the two Sunday SG races for the National Speed Series in place of the cancelled DH races. Details will be confirmed as soon as possible, as we know racers have made travel plans based on the DH and NSS schedule and some are coming from other divisions.
No promises, but we will also explore the possibility of adding a SG training day on Friday Jan. 19 before the weekend races.
For everyone who made lodging reservations through the event lodging package ("USSA/FIS Far West DH/SG 2024"", Group ID: 34901), we are confirming the details but expect that you will be able to cancel and get a refund if you need to change your travel plans due to the changes in the event schedule.
If you have questions or need assistance, contact us at raceadmin@farwestmasters.org and we'll do our best to help.
[Mon 1/8/24 9pm]
- Race Signups and 2024 Major Events
Happy New Year to all, with a glad welcome to the late start of our winter season
finally showing signs of bringing us some much-needed snowfall.
Race signups are open on our masters.AdminSkiRacing.com registration site
for all of our 2024 Far West Masters events.
Registration is also open on masters.AdminSkiRacing.com for all of the 2024
regional and national championship events and the US FIS Masters races.
The schedule is a little unusual this year, with the national championships in February
to accomodate the FIS Masters World Criterium in early March at Kimberly British Columbia.
National Championships
The 2024 Masters National Championships will be held in Central Division (for the first time ever!)
at Granite Peak WI on Feb. 5-10. The 2024 nationals are a 4-event championship with SG, GS, SL, and a parallel GS.
There will also be a second SG race that is not part of the national championship scoring.
Both SG races are part of the 2024 National Speed Series.
FIS Masters Cup/Western Region Championships
The 2024 Western Championships will be held Feb. 23-25, 2024 at Beaver Creek CO.
The 2024 Western Region Championships are being held in conjunction with the FIS Masters Cup event
and will consist of 2 SG races, 2 one-run GS races, and SL. Both SG races also count in the 2024 National Speed Series
Eastern Region Championships
The 2024 Eastern Championships will be held Mar. 8-10, 2024 at Gore Mountain NY.
The Eastern championships are a 4-race SG-SG-GS-SL event. Both SG races also count in the 2024 National Speed Series standings.
FIS Masters World Criterium
Once every 5 years the FIS Masters World Criterium, a huge event on the international
masters calendar, comes to North America. This year the honor falls to Canada
and will be hosted at Kimberley, British Columbia CA on March 1-7, 2024.
US competitors must contact national Masters Manager Lauren Beckos at lauren.beckos@usskiandsnowboard.org
to submit their entries.
[08-Jan-204]
- January 2 Forerunner newsletter
Ring in the New Year - the storm door is finally showing signs of opening a crack and
newsletter editor Melissa House has put together the new January issue of the Forerunner newsletter.
Along with some of our traditional content such as the President's Message and racing information,
the new "Coach's Corner" articles have news from the head coaches of the masters training
programs around the Far West.
Happy New Year to everyone and let's all get together on the race hill soon!
[02-Jan-2024]
- Mammoth opening races cancelled
With regret, the decision was made this morning to cancel our scheduled opening GS/SL
races at Mammoth this coming weekend on Dec. 2-3. The planned race venue of Andy's Double Gold (ADG)
is the Mammoth Race Department's top priority for snowmaking and slope preparation right now
and good progress is clearly being made now that we (finally!!) have good snowmaking conditions, but
the assessment today is that it's not certain that we can achieve a good racing surface along with
enough coverage for the necessary safety fencing on the sides of the run in time for the races.
So nature is feeding us feast or famine - last season we had bountiful early snow (too much even!),
this season is starting off dry and warm everywhere in the Sierra. Mammoth has their snowmaking
crews going full blast and is working to open more runs each day, so there is some decent early season
freeskiing for any who had plans to come this week for camp or the races - definitely enough to get out
and make some turns.
Reminder from MRD: If you made lodging reservations for the race weekend at the Mammoth Mountain Inn or Juniper Springs,
and/or pre-purchased discounted lift tickets, please call (800) 626-6684 for all lodging and ticket cancellation requests.
Be sure to mention Group ID: 38497 (event ""USSA/FIS Early Season Races 2023") to your customer service representative to ease the process.
[27-Nov-2023]
- Mammoth Races Update
Some encouraging news from Mammoth today: additional terrain has been opening through this
holiday week and Mammoth Race Department reports that conditions are currently
favorable for snowmaking. MRD will continue to assess the safety aspect throughout the next few days
and send out another update on Monday, November 27th with the outlook for our masters season opening races.
Safety is obviously a priority, we need snow levels deep enough to set gates and fencing on the race venue.
We encourage everyone considering racing next weekend to get your entries in before the
Sunday night early registration deadline. There is no penalty for registering now, you
can still withdraw next week if your plans change, but it really helps the organizers and our
event planning to have a good estimate of the field size the week prior to the event.
So stop procrastinating, get your entries in now!
Race signups are open on our masters.AdminSkiRacing.com registration site.
Early registration deadline is Sun 11/26; registration closes
at 8pm PT Wed 11/29.
You can sign up for the races and also purchase your 2024 Far West Masters membership if you haven't
already done so.
[24-Nov-2024]
- Mammoth training camp cancelled
With regret, Mammoth Race Department has just announced the decision that our masters
training camp that was scheduled for next Tue-Fri Nov. 28-Dec. 1 is cancelled. The decision is made
based on "safety precautions, snow depths, and current warm temperatures impeding on our ability to make snow".
Disappointing news, though not entirely a surprise given the slow start to the winter season
for all our Sierra ski areas.
Reminder from MRD: If you made lodging reservations for the training camp at the Mammoth Mountain Inn or Juniper Springs,
and/or pre-purchased discounted lift tickets, please call (800) 626-6684 for all lodging and ticket cancellation requests.
Be sure to mention Group ID: 38497 to your customer service representative to ease the process.
Mammoth is currently open for skiing, though with limited terrain availability, so there is a least
an opportunity to get out and make some turns for any coming next week. MRD is planning to provide an update on the outlook
for our races the following weekend of Dec. 2-3 on this coming Friday Nov. 24.
[19-Nov-2023]
- Membership and Race Signups are open
Race signups for Far West Masters are opening this week on our masters.AdminSkiRacing.com registration site.
Signups for the season opening GS/SL races at Mammoth on Dec. 2-3 are now open and signups
for the rest of our scheduled races will be added this week.
Membership Reminders: you join or renew your Far West Masters membership by paying
dues for this season on masters.AdminSkiRacing.com. Create or log into your account,
just as you do for race signups, and purchase "2023-2024 Far West Masters membership" on the
Event Signup page. (Don't forget to go to checkout to complete your dues payment!)
Deadline for renewing members to avoid late fees is Nov. 15.
[06-Nov-2023]
- Mammoth Dec races and camp
Our opening event of the 2023-2024 Far West Masters season is only a month away!
We have Sat/Sun GS/SL races at Mammoth Mountain on Dec. 2-3, the weekend following
the Thanksgiving holiday. Mammoth is also hosting a 4-day GS/SL training camp
on Tue-Fri Nov. 29-Dec. 1 prior to the weekend races, which is good opportunity
to get on skis and get in some preseason race training to get warmed up.
See the event info announcement and training camp flyer for additional details.
Mammoth is offering a discounted lodging package for camp week and race weekend.
Race signups are now open on our masters.AdminSkiRacing.com registration site.
Early registration deadline is Sun 11/26; registration closes
at 8pm PT Wed 11/29.
You can sign up for the races and also purchase your 2024 Far West Masters membership if you haven't
already done so.
[06-Nov-2023]
- Gate DeMattei memorial service
It was with tremendous sadness that we received the news of the passing
of Gate DeMattei on September 26. We can genuinely say that Gate was admired,
loved, and respected. He will be deeply missed by the masters racing community
in Far West and around the nation.
Our October Forerunner included a story and photos of Gate, with memories from fellow
Far West Masters and his obituary can be found online
Funeral service and memorial gathering for Gate will be held on Thursday Oct. 12.
- 10am - viewing
- 11am - rosary and Mass - Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Tahoe City CA
- 2pm-6pm - memorial reception - Bar One - Olympic House, 1990 Olympic Vly Rd. Olympic Valley CA
[05-Oct-2023]
- Fall Forerunner newsletter
The fall issue of the Forerunner newsletter is out!
New Communications director Melissa House has pulled together a wealth
of information for the upcoming season, with the President's Message
from our new division chair Rees Palermo and including details
on the season race schedule, Far West Masters membership, and more.
And we are deeply sad to include a late-breaking report with the news of
the passing of Gate DeMattei in late September. Gate was a champion, a role model,
an inspiration for living a full and balanced life. He will be very greatly missed.
Note: the primary distribution method of the Forerunner newsletter will
be electronic publishing through our news email list and here on the web site.
All current members of Far West Masters should receive the newsletter. If you
have any questions, contact us at forerunner@farwestmasters.org for assistance.
[02-Oct-2023]
- 2024 Season Schedule
The 2023-2024 season schedule is now posted and the web site Season Schedule page updated.
Far West Masters membership will open in October on our Masters AdminSkiRacing registration site
and race signups will be added soon after.
[28-Sep-2023]
|
